Hi we just got a new propane bobtail built out of a 2016 f750 (V10). I was curious if you guys think the hydraulic brakes are enough for the truck. Mainly the parking brake since the truck seems to stop fine in normal driving.

It just kind of worried me earlier on a very steep driveway I backed down. I pulled the parking brake and slowly let off the brake pedal. The truck rolled back about a foot or so before the brakes finally grabbed and stopped the truck.

Is this kind of normal for the parking brake? I'm use to all of our other gas trucks having air brakes.


Breakdown of the weight:

•About 10,000lbs of propane is the max it would ever have, usually less as you make stops.

•I'd say the propane tank and everything added to the trucks chassis would be around 5,000lbs. (I could be off on this)

•Cab and chassis itself weighs around 10,000lbs.

So is the hydraulic brakes parking brake fine on steep hills with around 25,000lbs total weight?

 

Get a set of wheel chocks for that situation.

The brakes are no doubt ok, as think of the liability of selling a 25000 GVWR truck with inadequate brakes. No manufacturer is going to do that.

That said, mechanical things fail.

More on the subject:

Wheel Chock Regulations

If you have a few hours to run this down, search "nfpa 58".

 

Is it a parking brake built onto the tail of the transmission? It'll look like a regular drum brake on the tail of the tranny.

If so, there's enough give in everything that yes, apply the parking brake, and it'll roll a bit, depending on how much torque you had on the driveshaft, and in which direction it was.

And always chock your wheels if you're on an incline.